PRESS RELEASE: Arizona Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 3, 2021

Arizona Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation naming November 2021 Native American Heritage Month in Arizona to recognize the historical, cultural and economic contributions of Native Americans in Arizona. “Native American communities are an integral part of Arizona,” said Governor Ducey. “Their diverse culture, rich history and vibrant heritage strengthen our state, and we are thankful for all their contributions. This month, we are proud to recognize November as Native American Heritage Month.” Arizona is home to 22 Tribal Nations that comprise approximately 28 percent of Arizona’s land base. This year’s legislative session included two bills that impacted Arizona’s Native American communities. In April, Governor Ducey signed a historic tribal-state gaming compact amendment that modernized gaming in Arizona. The Governor also signed legislation allowing Native American students in communities across Arizona to wear traditional tribal regalia at their graduation.  View the proclamation HERE. View the full text below. ***  WHEREAS, Arizona is situated in a diverse and culturally rich region of 22 various Tribal Nations and communities; and WHEREAS, these homelands have existed since time immemorial, we acknowledge the contributions of Native Americans long before the formation of the United States and the entry of the State of Arizona into the union; and WHEREAS, the State of Arizona recognizes the right of these 22 Tribal Nations to exercise sovereign authority, as defined by federal law, over their members and their territory; and WHEREAS, the land of these 22 Tribal Nations comprises approximately 28 percent of Arizona’s land base; and WHEREAS, these tribal members are citizens of our great State, possess all the rights and privileges afforded by Arizona to its citizens, and, along with other American Indians, comprise approximately five percent of Arizona’s population; and WHEREAS, we revere the memory of fallen patriots who have fought to ensure the freedoms afforded to all citizens of the United States; and WHEREAS, we acknowledge the unique challenges faced by American Indians, historically and in the present; and WHEREAS, it benefits the State of Arizona to partner with tribal nations on issues affecting all of Arizona to ensure the vitality of tribal communities and its members. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim November 2021 as    NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona GOVERNOR DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this First day of November in the year Two Thousand and Twenty-One and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Forty-Sixth.   ATTEST:   SECRETARY OF STATE